Ascot has all the courses

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33655, 3 October 1974, Page 11

Ascot has all the courses

Mr Maurice Beresford. who has run the Ascot Restaurant, at 83 Manchester Street (right), for the last 11 years, is not only a restaurateur but a genuine character in his own right who could have made his mark on the stage.

For some years after the war Mr Beresford was a steward on one of the crack British trains, and his description of some of the experiences which went with the job are a minor masterpiece of comedy and commentary. His action stories, complete with background train noises and continuous jiggling of the body to suggest an express under one’s feet travelling at 60 m.p.h., are quite good enough for a one-man show at the Theatre Royal.

Mr Beresford shows mirth easily and infectiously, and his frequent remark that in this work "we used to have a good laugh, I can tell you,” can be well believed. His customers have always been keen to get this jolly Lancashireman to give a performance. The train on which he served — the LiverpoolHarwich continental boat express — served a sevencourse dinner in the style of a first-class London restaurant Mr Beresford has carried

some flavour of England to the Ascot. On the dark, painted wood of the walls are horsy prints (leaning to the comic) and small shields of English counties and county regiments. The Ascot seats 70. It is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4.30 p.m. to 1.30 the next morning, Monday to Saturday inclusive. The restaurant does not have a licence. Mr Beresford and his wife, Betty, with a staff of 10, set out to provide good family food, in a clubby atmosphere. The restaurant has a faithful clientele. Mr Beresford said that 80 per cent of his customers were regulars. Families come together. Apart from the usual small dishes, the Ascot has poultry dishes about i 52.20, seafood major dishes for a little less, grills averaging about $2.25, and specials averaging a little more. The Ascot is known overseas. Mr Beresford has had Americans seek his restaurant out on the recommendation of other Americans who had eaten there. Touring sports teams also carry the word away, and Mr Beresford has many return engagements from other visiting sportsmen. He is especially proud of a visitors’ book he opened on July 19, 1970. This is full of interesting entries, including one by the famous American tennis player, Billie Jean King.